Electrical stimulation device for improving fluidity of motion

Abstract

The present invention will provide a device in which a movement-impairing episode, such as freezing of gait, is overcome by electrically monitoring and stimulating the individual as soon as the episode is anticipated. The device will be simple and effective when used by individuals suffering from diseases such as Parkinson's Disease without the side effects of oral treatments. This is accomplished through a signal sensing unit, a signal processing unit, a signal generating unit, and an actuation unit.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An apparatus for detecting and releasing a movement-impairing episode of a user, comprising:
 a signal sensing unit configured to temporarily attach to the body for sensing voluntary and involuntary signals from the user, wherein involuntary signals further comprise signals automatically generated from the user and wherein voluntary signals further comprise signals manually generated from the user; 
 a signal processing unit configured to detect electrical fluctuations and process data, said data comprising signal amplification, noise reduction, frequency transformation, wavelet transformation, signal features extraction, signal power, wavelength, root-mean-square value, auto-regressive model, principal components, slope, linear fit, non-linear fit, common special filter, or mean absolute value; 
 said signal processing unit configured to compare said data against predefined threshold values or classification or machine learning schemes comprising supervised, unsupervised, semi-supervised, reinforcement, or deep-learning schemes; 
 a signal generating unit for generating current signals; and 
 an actuation unit configured to temporarily attach to the body for delivering said current signal to the user; 
 wherein said signal sensing unit will receive a signal from the user and transduce it into an electrical signal, said signal processing unit will process said electrical signal and calculate whether a movement-impairing episode is oncoming, said signal generating unit will generate an electrical signal current if a movement-impairing episode is detected, and said actuation unit will deliver said electrical signal current to release the user from their movement-impairing episode. 
 
     
     
       2. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the actuation unit further comprises one or a plurality of electrodes for delivering current signals to the human body. 
     
     
       3. The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the signal generating unit further comprises generating a current signal for galvanic vestibular stimulation, wherein said electrodes are attached to the head of the user and configured to deliver an electrical current signal to the vestibular system through said electrodes. 
     
     
       4. The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the signal generating unit further comprises generating a current signal for neuromuscular stimulation, wherein said electrodes are attached to the body of the user near a muscle and configured to deliver an electrical current signal to the neuromuscular system through said electrodes. 
     
     
       5. The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the signal generating unit further comprises generating a current signal for neurostimulation, wherein said electrodes are attached to the scalp of the user near and configured to deliver an electrical current signal to the brain through said electrodes. 
     
     
       6. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the signal sensing unit further comprises one or a plurality of electrodes configured to detect neuromuscular electrical activity. 
     
     
       7. The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the signal processing unit further comprises detecting electrical fluctuations through electroencephalography, wherein said electrodes are attached to the scalp of the user and configured to detect brain activity. 
     
     
       8. The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the signal processing unit further comprises detecting electrical fluctuations through electromyography, wherein said electrodes are attached near a muscle of the user and configured to detect muscle activity. 
     
     
       9. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein voluntary signals further comprise pressing a button, waiving a limb, articulating a voice command, or clenching the teeth. 
     
     
       10. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the signal sensing unit further comprises detecting movements through inertial measurement units, accelerometers, gyroscopes, and/or magnetometers configured to detect body motion. 
     
     
       11. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the signal sensing unit and actuation unit are combined into a single detection unit. 
     
     
       12. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the signal processing unit and signal generating unit are combined into a single processing unit. 
     
     
       13. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the signal sensing unit, signal processing unit, signal generating unit, and actuation unit are combined into a single device. 
     
     
       14. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said signal sensing unit and actuation unit are combined into a wearable ear device adapted to detect brain activity and deliver an electrical current signal to the vestibular system. 
     
     
       15. A method for detecting and releasing a movement-impairing episode of a user, comprising:
 detecting voluntary and involuntary signals from the user through a signal sensing unit configured to temporarily attach to the body; 
 detecting electrical fluctuations from the user through a signal processing unit; 
 processing data, said data comprising signal amplification, noise reduction, frequency transformation, wavelet transformation, signal features extraction, signal power, wavelength, root-mean-square value, auto-regressive model, principal components, slope, linear fit, non-linear fit, common special filter, or mean absolute value; 
 comparing said data against predefined threshold values or classification or machine learning schemes comprising supervised, unsupervised, semi-supervised, reinforcement, or deep-learning schemes; 
 generating current signals through a signal generating unit; and 
 delivering a current signal to the user through an actuation unit configured to temporarily attach to the body; 
 wherein said signal sensing unit will receive a signal from the user and transduce it into an electrical signal, said signal processing unit will process said electrical signal and calculate whether a movement-impairing episode is oncoming, said signal generating unit will generate an electrical signal current if a movement-impairing episode is detected, and said actuation unit will deliver said electrical signal current to release the user from their movement-impairing episode. 
 
     
     
       16. The method of  claim 15 , wherein said involuntary signals further comprise neuromuscular activity comprising electrical fluctuations beyond a threshold amount. 
     
     
       17. The method of  claim 15 , wherein said involuntary signals further comprise movements detected through inertial measurement units, accelerometers, gyroscopes, and/or magnetometers configured to detect body motion. 
     
     
       18. The method of  claim 15 , wherein the signal processing unit further comprises detecting electrical fluctuations through electroencephalography, wherein one or a plurality of electrodes are attached to the scalp of the user and configured to detect brain activity, or wherein the signal processing unit further comprises detecting electrical fluctuations through electromyography, wherein one or a plurality of electrodes are attached near a muscle of the user and configured to detect muscle activity. 
     
     
       19. The method of  claim 15 , wherein the current stimulation is not provided earlier than 30 minutes before a movement-impairing episode, the current amount does not exceed 3 mA, and the duration does not exceed 60 minutes.